Abstract: An apparatus and method for electrically connecting a heater strip is described. The apparatus is characterized in that a deformable grommet assembly is placed around the heater strip, so that the grommet assembly can be deformed by a pressure plate so that it fits tightly against the heater strip. The grommet assembly can hold the heater strip away from a support surface of the pipe on which the heater strip is mounted and can hold the heater strip oriented perpendicularly relative to the support surface. A grounding plate can be provided for pressing a grounding element of the heater strip against the pressure plate.An apparatus based on the same grommet assembly for electrically terminating a heater strip is also described.

Abstract: An expansion joint for metallic foil strip heaters encasing resistive heating elements comprised of a bend formed in the metallic foil strips. The expansion joint is formed by use of a tool for passing a roller in the tool handle over a rigid forming support affixed to the tool bottom forming plate with the metallic foil strip heater placed between the roller and the forming support. The tool is then removed and a flexible metal support hose is affixed to the object to be heated with the bend in the metallic foil strips placed over this support hose. The bend is then affixed to the object to be heated on either side of the support hose.

Abstract: An electrical connector which can be used for pipe line heaters includes a base, an insert having a slot therethrough for a conductor, and a crimp barrel for the insert. A cap fits over the barrel and cooperates with the barrel and base so that when the cap is filled with a viscous potting compound, and the cap is slid over the barrel, the potting compound is pressured so that it substantially completely fills the cap and the base, thereby environmentally sealing the resulting assembly.

Abstract: This protector holder includes a plurality of double ended spring terminals which are arranged in a row in a housing that is made up of mating body halves. Each spring terminal includes a folded ribbon contact and adjacent-facing folded finger contacts formed on opposite ends thereof which are connected together by a shank. Each body half has a plurality of openings arranged in a row in one side thereof, each opening having a slot extending through the top wall and one side of the body half and having a trough in the one side of the latter body half which extends through the bottom wall thereof. The finger contacts and shanks of spring terminals are located in associated openings and slots, respectively, with the folded ribbon contacts extending above the top wall of a body half in pairs which face each other. A pair of body halves mate such that the slots and openings form slotted compartments in a housing which hold the shanks and finger contacts of the terminals in place.

Abstract: Support members are located near the corners of a pair of printed circuit cards for holding them together in a fixed, spaced-apart, adjacent and parallel relationship. Each card has a group of holes formed in the same pattern in each of the four corners thereof, at least one hole of each group extending all the way through the card. Each support member comprises a pair of plates that are joined together at a 90.degree. angle along one edges thereof. Load-bearing pegs project from parallel, non-joined together edges of one plate. Flexible posts project from parallel, non-joined together edges of the other plate. An arm extends from each post proximate the end thereof that is spaced from the other plate and in a direction substantially parallel to said parallel edges of the other plate.